Ore milling and screening apparatus



y 4, 1950 w. A. HUELSDONK 2,514,064

ORE MILLING AND SCREENING APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 q as f: 5

INVENTOR 21m. H.J6uelsdanb BY MM ATTORNEYS ,July 4, 1950 w. A. HUELSDONK ORE MILLING AND SCREENING APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTOR NEYS k m M. w

n m w y 1950 w. A. HUELSDONK 2,514,064

ORE MILLING AND SCREENING APPARATUS iled May 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR [Um .fljiuelsdonk ATTORNEYS Patented July 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT." OFFICE 2,514,064.. x ORE MILLING AND SCREENING APPARATUS William A. Huelsdonk, Boise, Idaho, assignor, by

direct and mesne assignments, of one-third to A. M. Phippen, Boise, Idaho, and one-sixth to Coc A. Boardman and one-sixth Smith, both oflPhiladelphia, Pa.

to Frank J.

Application May 6, 1949, Serial Nb. 91,737 18 Claims. (01. 241 46 This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, an improved ore dressing plant for fine milling and screening of crushed or rough ground ore to produce a classified pulp for concentrating.

A further object ofthe invention is toprovide an ore milling and screening apparatus operative to accomplish smooth, clea-n grinding; the fines being continuously removed through a novel screen assembly so that no slimy pulp remainsto interfere with said grinding action.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ore milling and screening apparatus which includes a power oscillated tank having a horizontal screen assembly therein for the downward passage of finely ground ore; there being a grinding mechanism associated with the tank above the screen assembly, and said mechanism including a plurality of novel mortar and pestle devices.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, as above, wherein the pestles are flexibly supported, and power actuated, in a novel manner.

Other objects of the invention are to-provide an ore milling and screening apparatus which is well balanced and runs with a minimum of vibration; uses a relatively small volume of water; avoids over-grinding of the ores; and .has rela.- tively great capacity in relation to mill size.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an ore milling and screening apparatuswhich is designed for ease and economy of manufacture, and operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliable ore milling and screening apparatus, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed. These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims. In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan, with the grate omitted. I

by meansof a plurality of circumierentially spaced bearing units, each indicated enerally at 3. Each bearing unit 3 includes a roller bearing leng aged between upper and lower raceways 5 which are of limited extent circumferentially of the tank. Such race-ways have adjacent'faces which are concave circumferentially of. said tank' whereby upon oscillation of the latter in a generally horizontal plane, the bearing units' B act to cause a limited oscillation of said tank'in a generally "vertical plane. This latter action-results by reason of the roller bearings 4 riding toward the ends of. the concave race-ways 5,.as the tank oscillates in a generally horizontal plane. The followingfpower mechanism is employed to forcefully oscillate the tank 2 in said generl y hor o lane:

Laterally of the tank 2 in one direction, the frame. l is fitted with a driven, horizontal cross sh'a'flili, and at opposite ends thereof said cross shaft it is connected by opposed eccentric pivots J; to connecting rods 3 which extend toward the tank on opposite sides thereof; the connecting rods 8 being securedto the tank, adjacent .the bottom and at diametrically opposed points, by shock-absorbingtype connections 9.

With the abovearrangement one connecting rodf8 advances, while the'other retracts, imparting a positive oscillation in a generally horizontal planeto the tank 2, and simultaneously said tank has a limited vertical oscillation imparted thereto, as heretofore described.

The tank 2 is fitted, within the same, adjacent but above the bottom- Ill thereof, with a horizontal screen-assembly, indicated generally at -ll; such" screen assembly being supported, about the periphery, by an annular shoulder I2 on the wall of the tank. Additionally, the screen assembly H is supported from. below by a plurality of upstanding, radially extending bafiles 13 disposed in circumferentially spaced relation in the bottom portion of the tank; said radial bafiles forming chambers l4 therebetween.

The hori on al scr n a s mbly ll c mp a plurality of layersof screen, preferably pro gressively finer in mesh from top to bottom. The annular, bottom corner of the tank 2 is fitted withanannular cove 15 which slopes downwardly and inwardly.

The tank Z is fitted with a central, upstanding post 16, and the baflles l3 radiate from said post within the tank; the lowerendcf the post projecting through the bottom 1001f the tank to a termination some distance therebelow. The cen the latter. to'the tank wall adjacent the upper edge thereter post 16 is tubular, as shown, and of substantial diameter.

An upstanding trunnion I1 is mounted on the frame I and projects upwardly into the center post 16, whereby to locate the tank 2 in prede termined .position, but without restricting its oscillatory movements in generally horizontal and vertical planes.

At a point thereon, centrally between the connecting rods 8 and at the bottom corner thereof, the tank is fitted with a valve controlled outlet spout l8 which includes a slide valve l9 adapted to be manually controlled by a handle 20. The valve-controlled outlet spout i8 is adjusted to permit of a predetermined how of fines or classified concentrate from within the tank 2 of the mill.

At opposed points in the tank, which points are generally a quarter-circle from the shock absorbing type connections 9, the mill is fitted with a pair of What may be termed mortar and pestle units, indicated generally at 2|.

' As each of these mortar and pestle units 2| are, of like construction a description of one will suffice for all. n 4

Each mortar and pestle unit 2i comprises a mortar or grinding die 22 fixed to the wall of the tank 2 in adjacent overhanging relation to the screen assembly H by means of a rigidifying and supporting frame, as shown; each such grinding die being of generally rectangular configuration and havin a vertical opening 23 therethrough which is likewise rectangular in plan.

An upstanding, rectangular pestle or grinding bar 24 is disposed in each opening 23 in laterally loose-play relation, and projects upwardly to a point above the upper edge of the tank. At its upper end each grinding bar 24 is fitted with a rigid radial arm 25 which projects in clearance relation over said upper edge of thetank, and outwardly thereof connects by a ball and socket unit 26 to a heavy-weight ring 21, of greater diameter than the tank, which symmetrically surrounds the latter.

The grinding bars 24 and the connected heavyweight ring 21 are flexibly suspended from the center post [6 as follows:

A plurality of eircumferentially spaced, upper suspension cables 28 are connected to the upper end of the center post It; as at 29, and thence incline downwardly and outwardly to connection with the ring 21, as at 30. Generally horizontal lower suspension cables 3|, corresponding to the upper suspension cables .29, also connect between the post 16 and the ring 21, as shown.

Inner suspension cables 32 connect to the upper end of the center post l6, as at 33, and thence extend at a downward and outward incline to connection, as at 34, with corresponding ones of the grinding bars 24 intermediate the ends. of Outer suspension cables 35.connect of, as at 36, and thence extend at a downward and inward incline to connection, as at 31, with each grinding bar 24 opposite the connection 34.

With the above flexible suspension of the grinding bar 24, it will be recognized that said bars are capable of limited lateral swinging, whereby said bars may impact against the adjacent surfaces of the grinding dies 22 within the openings 23.

The horizontal screen assembly H is fitted, on top thereof, with a relatively heavy-duty grate 38,-whereby, when the apparatus is in operation, Y

pestle units 2 I.

to prevent undue wear on, or sagging of, said screen assembly.

When the apparatus is in use a bed 39 of crushed or rough ground ore is fed into the tank 2 and rests on the grate 38 and screen assembly H; water being maintained in the tank up to a water line, as at 40. Water is fed into the tank through the tubular center post Hi, there being ports M in said post above the trunnion i! opening into the chambers [4.

Upon opposed power actuation of the connecting rods 8 by means of the described eccentric .mechanism, the tank 2 is forcefully oscillated in a generally horizontal plan, with resultant limited oscillation in a generally vertical plane, as hereinbefore described.

With such oscillation of the tank in a generally horizontal plane, there is a responsive corresponding oscillation of the flexibly mounted, heavy-weight ring 2! and grinding bars 24, but this responsive oscillation has a lag by reason of the flexible suspension. This results in the grinding bars 24 recurringly impacting against the grinding dies 22 within the openings 23 effectively grinding or milling to a fine mesh the ore which works through said openings.

The bed 39 of ore in the tank is maintained in a state of constant agitation due to the turbulence of the water in the tank, and which turbulence or surging is caused-upon oscillation'of the tankby the bafiles I3; the general directions of surge being indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4. The continuing up-surge of water from within the chambers 14 through the screen assembly ll maintains sufficient turbulence above saidassembly that the bed 39 of ore constantly agitates and rolls, resulting in ore to ore grinding action, and a constant feed to the mortar and pestle units 2|.

The portion of the ore which is ground fine works its way through-the screen assembly ll, and falls into the tank therebelow, ultimately being withdrawn from the outlet spout I8 as an efiectively classified pulp for concentrating;

, "As the fine ground ore delivers relatively quickly through the screen assembly l l,- undesirable over-grinding does not occur, and additionally no slimy pulp remains in the tank above the screen assembly to interfere with smooth, clean, fast'grinding by the mortar-and From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the'objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations therefrom may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, a defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon whichLette'rs Patent are desired:

1. Ore millingapparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power meansoperativetc so oscillate the tank; a plurality of grinding dies fixed in the tank, said grinding dies having vertical openings therein, an" upstanding grindin bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die and projecting the'reabove, and means suspending the grinding bars for relative oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank.

2. Ore milling'apparatus comprising a tank,

means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, aplurality of grinding dies fixed in the tank, said grinding dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die and projecting thereabove, and means suspending the grinding bars for relative oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank; said last named means being arranged so that said relative oscillatory swinging motion of the grinding bars lags oscillation of the tank whereby said bars recurringly impact against the dies.

3. O-re milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power'means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed inthe tank, said grinding dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die and projecting thereabove, means suspending the grinding bars for relative oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank, and a horizontal screen assembly in the tank below the cooperating dies and bars.

4. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in the tank, said grinding dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die and projecting thereabove, means suspending the grinding bars for relative oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank, a horizontal screen assembly in the tank below the cooperating dies and bars, and a grate on top of the screen assembly,

5. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in the tank, said grinding dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of eachgrinding die and projecting thereabove, means suspending the grinding bars for relative oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank, a horizontal screen assembly in the tank below the cooperating dies and bars, agrate on top of the screen assembly, and a plurality of radio, circum'ierentially spaced, upstanding bafiles in the tank below the screen assembly.

'6. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in the tank, said grinding dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die: and projecting thereabove, and means including flexible members suspending the grinding bars from the tank for relatively lagging, oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies.

'7. Apparatus, as in claim 6, in which said flexible members are cables; there being a center post in and projecting above the tank, certain of said cables attaching thereto, and other cables attaching to the tank wall,

8. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank,

means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in the tank, said grinding dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die and projecting thereabove, an arm projecting laterally from each grinding bar, a relatively heavy ring disposed in a position symmetrical to and adjacent the free ends of the arms, means connecting the free ends of the arms to said ring, and means including flexible members suspending the assembly of said grinding bars, arms, and ring from the tank for relatively lagging, oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies.

9, Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in the tank, said grinding dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die and projecting thereabove, an arm projecting laterally from each grinding bar, a relatively heavy ring disposed in a position symmetrical to and adjacent the free ends of the arms, ball and socket units connecting the free ends of the arms to said ring, and means including flexible members suspending the assembly of said grinding bars, arms, and ring from the tank for relatively lagging, oscillatoryswinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies.

10. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in the tank, said grinding dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose play relation in the opening of each grinding die and projecting thereabove, an arm projecting laterally from each grinding bar, a relatively heavy ring disposed in a position symmetrical to and adjacent the free ends of the arms, means connecting the free ends of the arms to said ring, and means including flexible mem-v bers suspending the assembly of said grinding bars, arms, and ring from the tank for relatively lagging, oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies; the ring being of greater diameter than the tank and adjacent the upper end of the latter, and the arms radiating from the grinding bars and extending over the top of the tank to said ring.

11. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in connection with the wall of thetank above the bottom of the latter, screen assembly in the tank below the dies, said dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die, a. rigid arm radiating from the upper end of each grinding bar and extending above the tank, a heavy ring ade jacent the upper end of the tank separate there from, universal connections securing the outer ends of the arms to the ring, and'means-suspending the grinding bars and ring from the tank for relatively lagging, oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies.

12. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tan-k, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in connection with the wall of the tank above the bottom of the latter, a screen assembly in the tank below the dies, said dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die, a rigid arm radiating from the upper end of each grinding bar and extending above the tank, a heavy ring adiacent the upper end of the tank separate therefrom, universal connections securing the outer ends of the arms to the ring, a central post in and projecting above the tank, and circumferentially spaced, flexible members radiating from the post and inclining downward to connection with the grinding arms and ring suspending the same for relatively lagging, oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies.

13. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in connection with the wall of the tank above the bottom of the latter, a screen assembly in the tank below the dies, said dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die, a rigid arm radiating from the upper end of each grinding bar and extending above the tank, a heavy ring adjacent the upper end of the tank separate therefrom, universal connections securing the outer ends of the arms to the ring, a central post in and projecting above the tank, and circumferentially spaced, flexible members radiating from the post and inclining downward to connection with the grinding arms and ring suspending the same for relatively lagging, oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies; there being other flexible members cnnected to the tank wall and inclining downward to connection with corresponding grinding bars.

14. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation; power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in connection with the wall of the tank above the bottom of the latter, a screen assembly in the tank below the dies, said dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die, a rigid arm radiating from the upper end of each grinding bar and extending above the tank, a heavy ring adjacent the upper end of the tank separate therefrom, universal connections securing the outer ends of the arms to the ring, a central post in and projecting above the tank, and circumferentially spaced, flexible members radiating from the post and inclining downward in connection with the grinding arms and ring suspending the same for relatively lagging, oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies; said central post being tubular to form a water feed conduit, and haw'ng an opening into the tank below the screen assembly.

15. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in connection with the wall of the tank above the bottom of the latter, a screen assembly in the tank below the dies, a plurality of radial, upstanding bafiies in spaced relation in the tank below the screen assembly, said dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die, a rigid armradiating from the upper end of each grinding bar and extending above the tank, a heavy ring adjacent the upper end of the tank separate therefrom, universal connections securing the outer ends of the arms to the ring, a central post in and projecting above the tank, and circumferentially spaced, flexible members radiating from the post and inclining downward to connection with the grinding arms and ring suspending the same for relatively lagging oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies.

16. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in connection with the wall of the tank above the bottom of the latter, a screen assembly in the tank below the dies, a plurality of radial, upstanding baiiles in spaced relation in the tank below the screen assembly, said dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of such grinding die, a rigid arm radiating from th upper end of each grinding bar and extending above the tank, a heavy ring adjacent the upper end of the tank separate therefrom, universal connections securing the outer ends of the arms to the ring, a central post in and projecting above the tank, and circumferentially spaced, flexible members radiating from the post and inclining downward to connection with the grinding arms and ring suspending the same for relative lagging oscillatory swinging motion in response to oscillation of the tank whereby to cause recurring impact between said bars and dies; said post being tubular to forma water feed conduit, and said conduit having openings below the screen into the chambers defined by said baffles.

17. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, means supporting the tank for circumferential oscillation, power means operative to so oscillate the tank, a plurality of grinding dies fixed in connection with the wall of the tank below the bottom of the latter, a screen assembly in the tank below the dies, said dies having vertical openings therein, an upstanding grinding bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die, a rigid arm radiatin from theupper end of each grinding bar and extending above the tank, a heavy ring adjacent the upper end of the tank separate therefrom, universal connections securing the outer ends of the arms to the ring, a central post in and projecting above the tank, a plurality of circumferentially spaced cables radiating from the post above the tank and inclining downward to connection with the grinding bars and ring, and a plurality of other circumferentially spaced,

downwardly inclined cables connected between REFERENCES CITED the tank and the grinding arms. 1- e 18. Ore milling apparatus comprising a tank, g gig gg i fs are of record m the means supporting the tank for oscillation in a generally horizontal plane, said supporting UNITED STATES PATENTS means being arranged to cause limited vertical 5 N b N Dat oscillation of the tank in response to said g n- 512,208 McCleery Jan. 2, 1894 erally horizontal oscillation thereof, power means 757,433 Becht Apr, 19, 1904 operative to oscillate the tank in said generally 776,472 James Nov. 29, 1904 horizontal lane, a plurality of grinding i 10 1,881,230 Earle Oct. 4, 1932 fixed in the tank, said grinding di s having 2,026,825 Dequer Jan. '7, 1936 vertical openings therein, an upstanding rln 2,433,872 Symons Jan. 6, 1948 ing bar disposed in laterally loose-play relation in the opening of each grinding die and project- FOREIGN PATENTS ing thereabove, and means suspending the grind- 15 Number Country Date ing bars for relative oscillatory swinging motion 13,732 Switzerland Feb. 5, 1897 in response to oscillation of the tank.

WILLIAM A. HUELSDONK. 

